primary chain

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Oct 11, 2016 | 10:38 AM

hmnavy72

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Jul 2016

Posts: 218

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From: Maryland/ ohio

primary chain

I was out riding yesterday on Columbus day and during my ride I heard a squeaking noise that disappeared at highter RPM 2k+.....so I turned around and rode about 15 miles back home...mostly highway. I started to look the bike over and noticed the primary chain adjuster bolt was back out almost 9 threads!! and was very dirty. Over the weekend we rode to Gettysburg and around the battle fields and the bike was fine.

What would you do.....
-just adjust the primary chain and check fluid level?
-open the entire side and inspect everything?

OR since the bike is under warranty call the dealer and let them deal with it.

Bike a 2015 "72" that now has 4800 miles, bought new in June 2016.

Oct 11, 2016 | 10:51 AM

stereoguy

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2011

Posts: 3,126

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From: Springfield, IL

I would have the dealer look at it but if you are going to ride it to the dealer I think I would open the inspection cover and check the tension on the chain. How far is it to the dealer? And how far out of adjustment is the chain?

Oct 11, 2016 | 11:31 AM

Guzzi

Road Warrior

Joined: Apr 2014

Posts: 1,774

Likes: 105

From: Houston, Texas

Option A
-just adjust the chain if everything looks good thru the inspection slot & check fluid level.
Much less time consuming then going to the dealer.

Oct 12, 2016 | 01:22 AM

JustOneDean

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Joined: Jun 2012

Posts: 1,832

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From: Phoenix

You'd hear a rattle or clatter if the chain was too loose. I'd take the inspection cover off and check the tension.

Oct 12, 2016 | 11:47 AM

grbrown

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From: Bedford UK

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustOneDean

You'd hear a rattle or clatter if the chain was too loose. I'd take the inspection cover off and check the tension.

But check it at several points, by rotating the drive. You'll need to lift the rear wheel off the ground, put it in top gear to do that. Over time the chain stretches and may not be uniform in tension all around.

If you do that, I would draw the dealer's attention to the problem when you next call by, to ensure they check it at your convenience. That is what a warranty is for!

Last edited by grbrown; Oct 12, 2016 at 12:56 PM.

Oct 13, 2016 | 01:58 AM

JustOneDean

Road Warrior

Joined: Jun 2012

Posts: 1,832

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From: Phoenix

Quote:

Originally Posted by grbrown;15589439[B

]But check it at several points, by rotating the drive. [/B]You'll need to lift the rear wheel off the ground, put it in top gear to do that. Over time the chain stretches and may not be uniform in tension all around.

If you do that, I would draw the dealer's attention to the problem when you next call by, to ensure they check it at your convenience. That is what a warranty is for!

+1 on that. The way I do it is, I mark four spots on the rear tire, 90 degrees apart from each other. Put it in top gear and spin the tire forward until I've checked the chain tension at each of those four spots. Then, because you're supposed to adjust the chain at the tightest spot, spin the tire backward until I get back to the tightest spot I checked. The reason I go backward and not forward is that one revolution of the rear wheel is not equal to one full revolution of the chain, so the only way I can be sure I'm at that spot again is by rotating the wheel backward. This method probably won't find the absolute tightest spot, but it'll get you close enough that the difference is inconsequential.